Wisconsin Residents to Submit 2027 Conservation Proposals

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is now accepting public resolution ideas regarding state natural resources through February 8.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Hunting

Screen-print poster illustration of oak saplings in a wooden nursery flat on a forest floor, symbolizing community-led conservation efforts.
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is seeking public resolution submissions through February 8, 2027, to help guide state natural resource management policies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe individual citizen proposals effectively influence state natural resource management policies in your area?

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress invites residents to submit up to two resolutions by February 8, 2027, to influence the state's natural resource management. These ideas will be reviewed during the upcoming 2027 Spring Hearings.

Why it matters

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress plays a vital role in the state by advising the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources on critical management issues. Public participation ensures these policy recommendations reflect the needs and priorities of the local community.

Residents are capped at submitting two resolutions annually for consideration. Proposals must demonstrate a statewide impact to be eligible for review during the spring session.

The players

Wisconsin Conservation Congress

This body serves as an advisory group to the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources regarding state environmental policies.

Department of Natural Resources

This state agency is responsible for implementing programs to manage and protect the natural resources of Wisconsin.

The details

Interested individuals can submit their proposals through the Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Conservation Congress online portal. Once accepted, these resolutions are prepared for public deliberation during the spring hearings.

Timeline

  1. February 8, 2027 is the deadline for submitting resolution ideas.

  2. April 12, 2027 marks the start of the 2027 Spring Hearings input sessions.

  3. April 14, 2027 is the final day for online hearing input, ending at midnight.

Culture Shift

This submission process follows the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board oversight structure by funneling local feedback into the advisory system. The initiative empowers residents to participate in a long-standing tradition of grassroots involvement in state land and wildlife management.

By submitting proposals, residents directly shape the agenda for natural resource policies that govern hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation throughout the state. Participants must ensure their ideas focus on statewide issues to be considered for the final hearing ballot.

The takeaway

Engaging in this process provides a direct path for citizens to influence the rules governing state lands. Potential applicants should draft their proposals early to ensure they meet the specific requirement of statewide relevance before the February deadline.

Further reading

Learn more about local environmental management and advocacy on the Wisconsin Hunting section.

Live Poll

Do you believe individual citizen proposals effectively influence state natural resource management policies in your area?